Who Doesn't Love a List?

The end of the year always seems to conclude with a flurry of lists: Best books, best podcasts, our favorite stories of 2025, the recipes we loved most. Even though we like to do things differently at The Persistent, in this regard, I suppose we are no exception.

Below, you’ll find a list of stories that convey the breadth and nuance and highs and lows of 2025. I included what we in the business refer to as evergreen stories—pieces that can stand the test of time—which means very little here is breaking news. News comes and goes; a good, meaty essay can endure. Cast your eye down this list.

Make yourself a giant cup of tea (as I would do) and pick out one or two things to read. Or read them all. Or don’t read any. It doesn’t really matter; whatever floats your boat. We’ll be back in 2026 (may it be a year that sparks joy!) with a whole boatload of new work from The Persistent. See you on the other side.

The one that made me feel strong...

Pamela Redmond at 72: ‘I Refuse to be Invisibile’

Redmond on her new stage show, ‘Old Woman Naked’.

The PersistentPaula Derrow

The one I didn't know I needed (but I did)...

Why Women Make Such Good Breakup Albums

The ultimate declaration of independence and rediscovery.

The PersistentJosie Cox

The one that framed the problem...

It’s So Easy to Blame The Mom.

‘Mother Blame’ makes children’s health women’s problem.

The PersistentMolly Dickens

The one that made me fall in—and out—of love with Paris...

In Paris, I’m an American First, a Black Woman Second

At first, Paris appeared to be a city where race didn’t matter. But things weren’t all they seemed.

The PersistentBrianna Holt

The one that was against all odds...

How Female Rappers are Redefining Indian Hip Hop

Women are taking the art form to new levels.

The PersistentRuchi Kumar

The one that made me feel seen...

Why Leisure Time is an Act of Radical Feminist Resistance

In a world where a woman’s work is never done, perhaps the biggest form of rebellion is taking time for ourselves.

The PersistentBrigid Schulte

The "oh, of course" one...

Even Jane Goodall Had a Sexist Boss

A new book by the anthropologist Keriann McGoogan reveals the drama behind the rise of the world’s most famous women primatologists.

The PersistentEmma Haslett

The one that made me fall in love...

How to DIY a Wedding

When my daughter was married last month, we bypassed everything extravagant, opting instead for a wedding built on friends, community and love.

The PersistentDeborah Copaken

The one that broke my heart...

Am I Really the Adult in the Room Now?

Alzheimers and a painful reversal of roles.

The PersistentTanya Mozias

The "it's so hard to be a parent" one...

Gentle Parenting is Gentle on Everyone But Mothers

It places a high value on children’s feelings, but not parents’.

The PersistentEmma Haslett

The one that made me see things differently...

The Joy of Disability Culture’s Punk Side

Honestly, everyone should be exposed to it.

The PersistentLucy Webster

The one that took me down memory lane...

Maternity Leave Gave me a Community I Didn’t Know I Needed.

When I went on maternity leave, I assumed I’d be lonely. Instead, I connected with the world in a whole new way.

The PersistentAmita Joshi-Welton

The one that felt like a nightmare...

‘Don’t Pretend You Don’t Love It’

The Dark, Misogynistic Underside of AI.

The PersistentGabriella Griffith

The one that actually made me lift a weight or two...

Weightlifting Makes Me Feel I Can Do Anything.

I knew it had health benefits—I didn’t realize it would keep me sane.

The PersistentTanya Mozias

The one that made me roll my eyes...

Why Frankenstein Needs a Female Director

Male directors can’t do Mary Shelley’s tale justice

The PersistentE.B. Boyd

The one where I saw myself...literally...

Cartoon: The Labels We Carry.

Hyesu Lee on our inner lives.

The PersistentHyesu Lee

The one that made me love sports...

When Women’s Soccer was Banned

For 50 years, women were banned from official grounds.

The PersistentEmma Haslett

The one (among many) that made me angry...

I Thought My Year of Yes Would Lead to More Paid Work. How Wrong I Was.

Organizations only truly value what they pay for. The rest they dispose of easily and forget. Don’t let that be you.

The PersistentLuba Kassova

The here-we-go-again one...

Back to School Puts Working Moms in an Impossible Position.

The mismatch of days off between schools and workplaces is an annual puzzle. It’s moms who bear the brunt.

The PersistentKathleen Davis

The one that was an eye-opener...

Why Women Are Saving Secret Escape Funds

‘FU Money’ is trending.

The PersistentGrace L. Williams

The one that feels particularly relevant right now...

How to Find Joy in Dark Times

Finding ways to be happy is essential.

The PersistentMara Altman

The one that made me think hard about beauty...

AI Skews Beautiful. What Is That Doing to Us?

Even when creators want them to be ugly, images of people generated by AI tend to be gorgeous,

The PersistentEmma Haslett

The one that made me go "ick" and then "oooh"...

Menstrual Blood Is Having a Moment

It may one day eliminate the need for pap smears.

The PersistentGabriella Griffith

The one that held the mirror up...

I Never Saw Myself in Romance Novels. Then I Did.

Why are romance novels still so white?

The PersistentRuchika T. Malhotra

The one that brought me joy...

Rebel With a Clause

How Ellen Jovi uses semicolons to unite people.

The PersistentJosie Cox

The one that made me cry and laugh at the same time...

Alexa, How Do I Stop This Meltdown?

How AI can make you a better parent.

The PersistentHaley Swenson